Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Dog Lover Masculine Birthday Card


One of my first thoughts was of Fall when I saw this super adorable image by Dreamerland Crafts. I paired it with some plaid Halloween paper by Tim Holtz and Idea-ology. I decided to watercolor the image (with M. Graham watercolors), mainly so I could mix colors that would closely match those in the plaid background. I also tried to keep it to a limited palette.

For the painting itself, I used a fairly dry brush technique and glazing to get smooth transitions, building up the layers in the dark areas for contrast. I am working on a watercolor series on my YouTube channel - eventually I hope to show this technique. If you are interested in watercolor, you may want to consider subscribing to my channel so you won't miss anything (hit the bell icon, then you will get notifications when I post).

Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

0. Note: I made my card with the retired Sizzix Framelits Die Set 14PK - Card, Kind Sentiments Step-Ups (660718). I found a set on the Sizzix site that I believe matches fairly closely, Sizzix Framelits Die Set 15PK - Card, Cute as a Bug Step-Ups (660717)

1. Use main Step-Ups die to cut card base from black cardstock; fold as indicated.

2. Use decorative panel dies to cut plaid sheet from 8x8 Mini Paper Stash Halloween. Adhere to card as shown. Die cut stars strip from antique silver Deco Sheets. Adhere on sides as shown. (If you don't have the die set I used, you could cut other shapes, or even punch a design for the sides.)

3. Stamp Dog Lover (Dreamerland Crafts) on watercolor paper in Nocturne ink using a Stamp Platform. I used half of a 5x7 sheet of hot press watercolor paper since I will be fussy cutting the image.


4. Watercolor image with M. Graham watercolors (or other brand). M. Graham watercolors are professional watercolors, wet easily, and are lightfast. I love using them. In case you missed the post intro, I am doing a watercolor series on my YouTube channel and hope, at some point, to feature the techniques I used to paint this image.

5. Fussy cut image with detail scissors. Hint: move the paper while cutting to make it easier to get into small places and turn corners. Use a black brush tip Copic Multiliner SP (the SP versions are refillable, a better value in the long run plus they don't just go in some landfill) to go around the image from the back side. This hides the white on the sides and gives it a polished look. Adhere to card as shown using dimensional/mounting tape.

6. Using a Stamp Platform, stamp Happy Birthday sentiment (Miscellaneous 02, Dreamerland Crafts) on black cardstock using VersaMark ink. Emboss with Adirondack Clay embossing powder (retired, try Ranger Brick). Trim to a strip and add tails on either end (I cut off the cardstock 1/2 inch from each side of the sentiment, then added tails). Adhere to card as shown using dimensional/mounting tape. Hint: use a black alcohol marker, such as a Sharpie, to go around edges of tape before sticking to image - this will hide any white that may show.

7. Optional: from white or ivory cardstock, die cut another panel from the Step-Ups set. Adhere to back of card for a place to write (you could also put one inside the card).


Supplies
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Monday, October 29, 2018

Halloween Cards with Xyron and Doodlebug Design


Doodlebug Design has some of the cutest and most colorful papers on the market - definitely a favorite of mine! This year's Halloween release was Pumpkin Party. I've also collected some packs and pads from recent years (OK, I tend to hoard them). Unfortunately, many have limited print runs (adding to my distress of using them!). The one big positive is that some of the collections are available as cuttable files, through Lori Whitlock's website and through the Silhouette online store. I made two cards, using Xyron products to put them all together.


I've purchased Doodlebug Design files from both aforementioned sites. Lori Whitlock's are SVG files, which are more flexible (i.e. may be cut with most cutting machines), whereas the Silhouette versions are proprietary studio files for use with Silhouette software. I have several of the collections already and hope to get more (I joined the Lori Whitlock subscription monthly service - you get the best value when they go on sale, be sure to sign up for her blog updates - that's where many sales are announced). Note: Pumpkin Party SVG collection was not out yet when I made these cards so I chose a similar character from a previous release.

To make these files super easy to assemble after cutting, I use my Xyron products: the big things go into my 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive and the small things go into my 1.5" Sticker Maker. The Adhesive Remove cleans up any extraneous adhesive.

Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

Making the Card

0. The steps below feature the first card's main character (Frankenstein's monster) plus the chemistry set and spiders for the second card; the second card's main character (scientist) will be similar, just using a different file.

1. Die cut black cardstock with main Circle Flip-its die; fold as directed. Use the decorative side panel dies to cut 12x12 sheet with kids in costume (Costume Party) from Pumpkin Party. Also use the larger side panel die to cut a piece of white cardstock for back of card. Use the circle die to cut Pumpkin Party 6x6 sheet of haunted houses with trees, and another from candy corn sheet. Also from candy corn sheet, cut a strip 1/2 inch wide. This strip will go inside the card to cover the black strip down middle, above and below circle. Use a pencil to mark where the circle starts and ends (with appropriate gap) then use the circle die to cut the paper where marked. See photo below. In Pumpkin Party 6x6 pad, find sheet with printed strips; cut out orange Happy Halloween strip. From Pumpkin Party 12x12 pad, find sheet with square labels; cut out label with princess and Trick or Treat above her head. Set aside these papers for now.

Open Card

    Back of Card

    2. Cut one of the lighter purple cardstock sheets from Hunkydory Adorable Scorable Cardstock to 7x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x7 inch card base. Cut a darker purple from the same pack to 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches. From Boos & Brews 12x12 pad, cut sheet with chemistry beakers 4 5/8 x 6 5/8 inches. From the Boos & Brews 6x6 pad, find sheet with square labels and strips. Cut out square label with frog, beaker, bottles and spiders with purple frame, and also strip with "Happy Halloween!" Cut tails in left side of strip. Cut craft foam to fit behind strip. Also cut an extra piece of craft foam, enough to pop up spiders. Cut square of yellow-orange cardstock 1/8 inch larger than frog/beaker label so it frames it 1/16 inch all around. Use Nested Circle Small Stitch Dies to cut larger light blue circle (3 5/8 inch) and smaller yellow-orange circle (2 1/8 inch). Set aside all pieces for now.

    See photo below. For inside of card, cut candy strip from Pumpkin Party 6x6 sheet of strips. Cut Doc Frankenstein "I'm mad about CaNDy" rectangle label from Boos & Brews 6x6 pad. Cut purple cardstock (same color used for card base) 1/4 inch bigger than Doc Frankenstein label (it will be framed 1/8 inch around). Set these aside for now as well.



    3. Load Booville - FrankBoos & Brews - Chemistry Set 1, and Boos & Brews - Spiders into Silhouette software (I used Sure Cuts a Lot - SCAL). Ungroup each and move pieces in areas of the mat that are similar in color. See photo below. I put all the small pieces in the top left corner to be cut in white then colored with markers later. I did the same for darker versions of the same color - i.e. I used markers to darken them. Note, I forgot to cut the white layer on the spiders - they should have been in the upper left as well (I ended up cutting scraps by hand to put behind spider bodies). I also deleted any layers or cut lines that were either unnecessary or too small, like the spiders' eyes (use pen/marker to draw in later) and highlights on bubbles and beakers (use white gel pen later).


    4. Cut scraps of cardstock large enough to cover the associated areas and place on cutting mat in appropriate locations.


    5. Once cut, use markers to color any white pieces in their designated colors, as well as darken areas of same color (e.g. neck and scar on Frankenstein monster's face under-layer). See photo below. I also used the markers to darken orange inside pumpkin area (not shown). Hint: place very small pieces in a small dish so they won't get lost. I used a porcelain petal dish, usually used for watercolor.


    6. Run large pieces through 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive. Rub all over clear cellophane before peeling it away - see hint in step 7.* Note: be sure to put white cardstock panel piece for back of black Flip-it card though the Creative Station with the correct side up (it will be opposite the patterned paper since it will be on the back side of the card from it).


    7. Run small pieces through 1.5" Sticker Maker; rub all over cellophane then peel it away.* See photo below. *Hint: use die pick to rub around edges of pieces before peeling up cellophane. For very small pieces, I used liquid glue. Leave these in their dish or bowl for now.


    8. Cut around candy corn circle (leaving it on backing paper) to free it from the rest of the items on the backing paper. Adhere princess with Trick or Treat above her head to center of candy corn circle. Die cut with circle to get rid of overhanging corners (alternatively you could trim them with a pair of detail scissors). When assembling larger card elements, peel backing paper away from cardstock and patterned papers; this keeps them from warping as much. For the black Flip-it card, adhere patterned papers where shown and white piece on back. For purple base card, adhere chemistry beakers to darker purple 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inch cardstock from step 2 then adhere to card base.


    9. Assemble characters, spiders, and chemistry set. Hint: reload the cut files in software and ungroup again - pull layers apart as necessary to see how to assemble them. Use liquid glue for very small parts. Use thin black marker, such as a .03 black Copic Multiliner SP (I prefer the SP version because they are refillable - less waste and more economical in the long run), to draw eyes on spiders (you could also substitute with googly eyes). Use white gel pen to add highlights to bubbles and beakers. (Oops, I forgot to adhere the blue beaker layers before the liquids so I just left them off but it isn't as dimensional without them.)


    10. Use craft foam with adhesive behind the two spiders and black Happy Halloween flag. Adhere all pieces where shown. Adhere Doodlebug Deisgn Sequins: Lilac, Limeade, and Tangerine where shown on black Flip-it card (I used 9 total, 3 in each color).


    Supplies
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    Tuesday, October 23, 2018

    Xyron & Graphic 45 Midnight Masquerade Halloween Pop-up Card


    A Xyron and Graphic 45 collaboration makes this Halloween/Masquerade card super cool. Graphic 45 sent the Xyron design team a 12x12 pack of gorgeous papers plus a couple matching items. I chose Midnight Masquerade. Along with the 12x12 paper pack, I received the matching Journaling Chipboard and Tags & Pockets plus a packet of Artist Trading Tags. I absolutely love the color combination - it has a Mardi Gras feel to it. The hardest part was deciding which papers to leave out (I wanted to put them all in - both sides... one of these days I will have to make a mini-album out of the rest of these papers so I can show them all off). To make the card even more special, I added pop-up elements to it with Karen Burniston dies.

    GIVEAWAY!! Two lucky winners will receive a Graphic 45 Christmas paper pack and a Xyron Mega Runner! To enter, just post a comment on any of the Graphic 45 projects on the Xyron Facebook page during this week (October 22-26, 2018).

    Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.


    Making the Card

    0. I recommend first reading through all the steps, cutting out papers as instructed, and watching the videos before putting anything together. Then follow the steps in order. This isn't a difficult card (the hardest part is probably folding the side explosion wings) - but there are a lot of pieces, which is what I think makes it look so cool!

    1. Cut green-blue cardstock 7x10 inches; fold in half to form a 5x7 inch card base. Cut two pieces of medium purple paper 4 13/16 x  6 3/4 inches (to line the inside of the card). Set aside.


    2. From the Midnight Masquerade 12x12 paper pack, find the pages with all the panels of images (Music Makers). I recommend cutting apart each design but you will only need two copies of the top right image (the guy in the cloak bowing to the lady). Cut dark purple cardstock 1/4 inch larger than one of these images such that 1/8 inch will show as a boarder. Using detail scissors, fussy cut both flower clusters and the man's cloak from the other piece. Use an ink blending tool to apply Rusty Hinge Distress Ink to the edges of the flowers and Peacock Feathers Distress Ink to cloak edges. Cut dark blue cardstock 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Find the page with the masks (Venetian Carnival) - the back will have a diamond pattern, this is the side we will use; cut to 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches and ink edges with Peacock Feathers. Find the page with the stamps and mask strip at the bottom (Savor the Magic). Cut all the elements apart but leave the dancers strip with the orange/diamond/orange patterned strips attached (if you accidentally cut them off, just adhere them together on the card as shown). For the card, you will use the strip of dancers, the small dark blue and cream design near the bottom of the page (it will end up above the dancers on the card), and three of the stamps (you can choose the three you like best or use the same ones I did). Ink edges of stamps with Dusty Concord Distress Ink. Trim strip of dancers and blue/cream border to 7 inches wide. Ink edges with Peacock Feathers. Set aside.


    3. Using the Upsy Daisy Pop-up dies, die cut three dark blue scalloped squares and two dark purple arms. Watch the video below to see how to fold the arms - use liquid glue to only assemble the box areas of the arms. Don't put the rest together yet. It's best to watch the video below and the next (step 4) to see how this will all go together; the rest of the assembly will continue below - the order is important.


    4. Using the Explosion Pop-up dies, die cut two wings from medium purple paper and fold as shown in the video below but do not assemble anything else yet. Also die cut the pop-up platform from dark purple cardstock, leaving about 1/2 inch above and below; trim sides flush. Note: I made mine out of recycled plastic packaging - it turned out OK but the card is difficult to keep closed and is bulkier than if I had used cardstock. I recommend using dark purple cardstock instead and adhering the center matted stamp near the bottom of the front platform instead of higher up as shown in my photos.


    5. From Midnight Masquerade Tags & Pockets, punch out the pocket with the lady under the moon. Since we will be using the lady side, you may have to trim a little from the folding edges when assembling. Fold everything first to see how much you need to trim. Fold the back across, then fold the side flap in, gluing in place, then fold the bottom flap up, gluing in place. Using an ink blending tool, ink edges with Dusty Concord Distress Ink. Punch out the orange bordered tag with the woman's back to the viewer and "Midnight Masquerade" written above her head. Trim edges if necessary so it will slip easily in and out of pocket. Ink edges with Rusty Hinge Distress Ink. Next punch out the arrow with mask; ink each with Peacock Feathers.


    6. Run the following through the Xyron 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive: 2 pieces medium purple paper (step 1), panel image with man in cloak plus dark purple cardstock (step 2), dark blue cardstock plus diamond paper (step 2), 7 inch strips with dancers and blue/cream (step 2), three cut out stamps (step 2). Rub around all edges. You may want to trim the elements apart before removing backing papers. Note: be sure to flip papers over then peel backing away in order to keep papers from curling as much. If there is any extra adhesive around edges, use Adhesive Remover. Adhere medium purple papers inside card base, one on top and one on bottom, leaving a small gap for the fold. Adhere diamond patterned paper to dark blue paper. Adhere to center front of card base. Adhere blue/cream strip going across card, 2 inches from top. Adhere strip of dancers just below it. Adhere panel image with man in cloak to dark purple cardstock. Adhere to front of card where shown. Adhere stamps to dark blue scalloped squares. Leave off the rest of the elements for now.

    7. Adhere explosion wings to sides of inside card as shown in video, lining up with purple liner edges. Cut two pieces of purple stars (Romantic Rendezvous) paper  4 7/16 x 6 inches. Use the stars side on the bottom and the other side for the top. Open card and lay the stars piece in the card just below the fold line, centered, then mark with pencil the angles of the explosion pop-up where they overlap; cut off just a slight bit more than marked. Flip the card around and do the same for the top piece using the side shown. Run these pieces through Xyron 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive (be sure to have the correct sides facing up). Adhere in card, making sure that all folded areas are clear enough to fold unhindered.


    8. Adhere center dark purple pop-up panel (you may want to trim the top and bottom - just keep enough to glue in card). Adhere side arms as in video, making sure they clear the pop-up. Adhere the matted stamps as shown. Die cut balloons shown, using a white gel pen to draw in the balloon shine before removing from die. Note: for the medium purple paper balloons, I cut two of each and glued them together for stability. Die cut strings for each balloon from dark purple cardstock. For the balloons that would be adhered only to their strings, I doubled the string thickness. I also cut a straight string by hand for the center purple balloon behind the center stamp. Adhere each where shown. I cut off the loop on the left orange balloon that is glued behind the stamp. I also popped up the two balloons on the top left by running craft foam through the 9" Creative Station with Permanent Adhesive twice, once on each side (removing cellophane in between) to apply adhesive on both sides - this creates dimensional tape.

    9. Adhere Lilac, Swimming Pool sequins where shown. To place these I highly recommend the Crystal Tanto. While the inside elements dry, on a craft sheet, dye a length of seam binding with Dusty Concord Distress Ink (spray with water) and some twine with Peacock Feathers (I just used what was on the blending tool foam, rolling it as I went along the string).


    10. Use Mega Runner on back of pocket to adhere it to card where shown. Use a hole punch or Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole at the top of the orange tag (where the flower is, just a bit low on it). Tie ribbon and twine around hole. Put tag in pocket. Use the dimensional tape created in step 8 to adhere flower and cloak over the ones on front of card. Use dimensional tape to adhere mask arrow where shown. Add square flower from Journaling Chipboard in upper right corner (or just add another sequin). Add LilacSwimming Pool sequins going from bottom left to top right. Optional: Add clear Wink of Stella where desired on cover and inside (e.g. cloak, flowers, masks). See photo above (may have to click on it to see the shine). Optional: if the card feels too front heavy, cut dark blue cardstock and patterned paper (same size as those used for front of card), run through 9" Creative Station with permanent adhesive, and adhere to back of card; this should help the balance.


    Supplies
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    Monday, October 22, 2018

    Winner of Xyron Teresa Collins Mega Runner!

    Thank you to all those who left a comment on my Teresa Collins Travel Journal & Organizer post. I really appreciated your kind words! If you didn't win this time, you will have another chance - there's another giveaway coming right up! You may want to follow my blog with Bloglovin so you won't miss any of my giveaways. Without further ado, the winner of the Xyron Teresa Collins Mega Runner is...


    Connie! Please contact me privately by Thursday 25OCT18 8:00AM, either by email (see About Me section, top right) or through Facebook messenger. I will need your full name and address to forward to Xyron - they will ship it directly to you. Congratulations!!

    Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.

    Thursday, October 18, 2018

    Teresa Collins Travel Journal & Organizer Plus Giveaway


    Today's project is a collaboration between Xyron and Teresa Collins. Teresa Collins sent each of the Xyron design team members a whole package of goodies, including papers, ephemera, brads, and paper clips. My package included some travel and photography themed items plus a 6x8 inch journal. I decided to make a travel organizer. Note: if you would like to see exactly what I received, I posted a photo on Instagram.

    My husband and I love to travel. We try to take one long vacation out of the country at least every couple years. I do all the planning myself and usually accumulate a stack of papers that includes a calendar itinerary, hotel & airline confirmations, possibly a few trail maps, and other bits of information. I always keep physical copies in addition to copies on my phone and iPad or computer - it has been vital in a few situations (such as on the way back from Germany when they lost our airline reservations; having the printed copies helped us get seats on the flight back home). This organizer also includes a journal for writing down the events and adventures during the trip. I've kept travel journals since my first trip to Australia in 1987. It's so much fun to read them later, bringing back all the memories, plus few lessons learned along the way.


    The base of this project is a Smead Slash-style File Jacket. Alternatively, you could use a manila file folder with some modifications. The above photo shows the file jacket and some of my actual trip papers from an Ireland trip in 2012; the below photo shows the finished project.


    Giveaway - CLOSED You have until Sunday evening (21OCT18) to leave a comment below. One winner will be chosen at random from these comments. The winner will receive a brand new Teresa Collins Mega Runner, like the one featured in this post. I will announce the winner Monday morning (22OCT18) here on the blog. Note: although I will try to contact the winner through Blogger, if you do not have a public email address, I will not be able to do so, thus I highly recommend checking back here on Monday to see if you have won.

    Disclaimer: Please help support my work in this small way - just use my links if you plan to purchase anything - there's no extra cost to you. Here's the official jargon: links, affiliate links, and cookies may be used in this post and on this site. Using this site implies your consent. I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, Share a Sale, and other affiliate programs; these affiliate advertising programs provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and/or other affiliated sites. This helps offset a small portion of my crafting addiction... uh, hobby. I am truly thankful for your kind support! I also receive free products from my design team companies, possibly monetary compensation, and sometimes free products for review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. Google and Blogger use cookies to provide and improve their services. See Notice at bottom of blog for a longer description and/or see the full Privacy Policy for even more details.


    Creating the Organizer and Journal

    1. Cut the following cardstock to the sizes indicated, using the 1/4 or 1/2 inch Corner Chomper where noted.

    Black cardstock: 9 1/2 x 11 3/8 inches, round top two corners at 1/2 inch; 9
    1/2 inches wide - place inside slash pocket, center it, trace angle with pencil, cut along line, trim 1/4 inch off bottom; 4 1/2 x 7 inches; 4 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches; 1 1/2 x 7 inches*; 2 pieces 1 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches*
    Thin stripe cardstock (Teresa Collins Item SS1003): 9 1/4 x 11 1/4 inches, round top two corners at 1/2 inch
    Dots (Teresa Collins Item SS1006): two strips 1 1/4 x 7 3/4 inches - round one on left side top and bottom with 1/4 inch and right side top and bottom on other, leaving other sides squared; 9 1/4 inch wide - line up with black angled piece on bottom, center it, trace angle, cut along line, trim 1/4 inch off bottom
    Inspiration Quotes (beige backside, Teresa Collins Item SS1001): 4 1/4 x 6 3/4 inches; 4 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches - trim a small amount off one side so it's a tiny bit smaller than 4 1/4 inches wide; 5x7 inches - trim a small amount off so it's just a bit smaller than 7 inches wide
    Kraft grid 4x4 inch paper (Photo Paper Pad SGJ216): cut off 1/2 inch from bottom so it will be 3 1/2 x 4 inches


    2. Score the indicated* black cardstock pieces from step 1 at 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch using a teflon bone folder and score board. Fold mountain, valley, mountain (it will look like an M on the short side). These will be the gussets for the journal pocket. Score the 4 1/4 x 5 1/4 inch piece of black cardstock on the sides and bottom (looking at it horizontally) at 1/2 inch each; trim corners at an angle where the score marks meet at the bottom and trim the top sides angled down a bit, see photo above.

    3. Use a 1 3/4 inch circle punch, die, or die cutting machine to cut two black cardstock circles as mats for the two globe ephemera pieces.


    4. Run pieces the following through the 9" Creative Station (see photos above and below - not all pieces are pictured though): stripe, dot (two strips and angled pieces), beige (all 3), grid, black circles; from Ephemera (WAN116): both globes, gold foil star, gold foil circle with crosses, gold foil striped strip, black compass rose, gold foil camera, black destination arrow, both airplanes, post card/carte postale, and finally "WANDER", "adventure" and "travel" words.

    Note: the stripe and dot papers may not get completely covered - just use the Mega Runner down the sides that may be missing adhesive. You will also use the Mega Runner on the largest black and angled black pieces - although the largest liner for the folder will have less on the bottom to make it easier to place, see below before adding adhesive to these.


    5. Adhere striped piece to largest black. To do this, rub front around edges with finger, peel away clear cellophane, flip over, then peel away backing sheet - this makes it less likely to warp the paper. Keep the backing sheets. Trim a small amount off bottom edge, like 1/16 inch, to account for folder thickness. Hint: use adhesive remover to remove any excess adhesive whenever attaching items. Use Mega Runner to put adhesive mostly at the top and a *little* on the bottom, leaving most of the bottom half without adhesive (you don't want much on the bottom or it will be difficult to get into folder). Slide into folder keeping paper against the inside front of the folder, lining up sides and top - it should go all the way to the bottom. Once placed, rub firmly to stick down. Adhere dot piece to angled black. Use Mega Runner to add adhesive to back; stick to front of file folder, lining up all edges.


    6. See photo above. To create gusseted pocket, remove cellophane from front of 5x7 inch beige piece. Without removing backing, trim one of the long side's backing to be flush with paper - use a decorative edge punch along what will now be the top. Flip to back side. Starting with side edges, peel backing away about 3/4 inch. Take one of the side gussets (shorter black scored pieces) and, lining up bottom edges with the middle fold downward (two mountain folds up), adhere piece up to and lining up with first fold. After doing the two sides, repeat with the longer bottom gusset. Flip over. Optional: reenforce with staples along bottom and sides - flat part of staple inside pocket, beige side. Fold bottom piece up flat to apply adhesive on back; flip side pieces out. Use one of the waste liner sheets under the bottom flap; use Mega Runner to add adhesive along the outside black strip up to the outer fold (do not get any beyond the fold line). Temporarily flip the bottom piece back out (I recommend doing this on a craft sheet or putting another liner under it) and repeat on side flaps.

    Now to add the front of the pocket... add 4 1/4 x 6 3/4 inch beige piece to 4 1/2 x 7 inch black rectangle - the black will be the inside of the pocket, the beige will be the front. Flip over and add this rectangle under bottom adhesive on long gusset piece, aligning on long side up to the first fold (black side of rectangle gets adhered). Trim a very small amount off bottom of adhesive side gussets, up to fold line, where rectangle will meet when flipped up to give it room to come up; fold bottom gusset in, keeping rectangle out flat for a moment, fold side flaps in along gussets then carefully adhere sides of black rectangle starting at bottom and working up one side, then the other. Once pocket has been assembled, peel off backing, add adhesive with Mega Runner to black edges, and stick pocket to front of folder as shown.

    7. Adhere globes to black circles. Adhere compass rose to gold foil star. Adhere grid paper to front of black pocket front piece (4 1/4 x 5 1/4 inch) - the one that has flaps and corners cut at angles. On 4 1/4 x 4 1/2 inch beige piece, cut backing paper flush with top side (this will be portrait orientation so short edges at top and bottom). Use decorative edge punch across top. Flip and peel away about 3/4 inch from bottom. Adhere bottom flap of black pocket (grid facing up), lining up with fold along bottom edge of beige piece (before pressing down, fold up pocket and be sure sides line up along edges as well). Peel away side backing papers and adhere side flaps. Use Mega Runner to add adhesive along back flaps before adhering to front of striped journal as shown.

    8. Punch hole in front journal cover for brad closure (see top right of pocket); insert postage registration brad as shown, spreading tines behind cover. Adhere dot strip with left rounded corners to inside cover over brad, lining up with edge of journal. Cut about 5 inches of black/white twine. Use liquid glue to adhere one end inside back cover of journal near edge, where center of brad on front is located (may want to mark with pencil first). While it dries, add a small strip of black ribbon to top of white paperclip using liquid glue to hold it in place. Set aside to dry. Add dot strip with right rounded corners to back cover, over glued twine end, lining up with edge, leaving most of the twine hanging loose.


    9. To create the journal bookmark, find the post card/carte postale and graphic travel words in black from ephemera pack. Cut about 4 inches of black ribbon, fold in half, and glue to back top center of graphic travel words ephemera. Peel off backing on post card/carte postale; line up and adhere to back of graphic travel words ephemera, i.e. they will be back to back sandwiching ribbon. Add bookmark to journal. Take loose end of twine around to front of journal and wrap around brad as a closure.

    10. As shown in photo above, adhere "WANDER", gold foil globe, and black plane to top right of striped folder area. As shown in photo below, adhere black destination arrow, "adventure" word, black globe, foil plane, and camera to front gusseted pocket. (Note: see first photo, at top of this post, of everything laid out.) Adhere compass rose to top right of journal cover; adhere gold foil circle with crosses, gold/white striped strip, and "travel" word to front journal pocket. In 4x4 paper pad, find black striped paper and graph paper (2 of each) - tear out and line up. Add ephemera "FIELD NOTES" to front and paper clip together - insert in journal pocket. Insert journal in gusseted pocket. Add travel papers to slanted pocket. Enjoy!


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